2016 Debut Authors Bash: Author Interview with Kurt Dinan

Hi, everyone! Welcome to today’s stop for the 2016 Debut Authors Bash! Today I’m crazy excited to introduce you all to Kurt Dinan, author of Don’t Get Caught. First off, let me start off by telling you today will feature two different posts for Kurt Dinan. This morning I am featuring an author interview with Kurt. Later this afternoon, stay tuned for my book review of Don’t Get Caught! I absolutely adored this book and can’t wait to tell you all about it! Check out more from Kurt below!

Kurt Dinan is a high school English teacher living in Cincinnati. His debut novel, DON’T GET CAUGHT, will be released in April of 2016. He is represented by Kerry Sparks of LGR.

Can you tell us about your debut, Don’t Get Caught, in 40 words or less?

DGC is a about Max, a high school nobody, who teams up with 4 other misfits to get back at the mysterious Chaos Club for framing them. Over-the-top pranks, juvenile humor, and cows. The perfect way to start your summer.

What was your favorite scene to write?

Wheeler’s prank on the football field was my favorite because it’s pretty much everything I wanted the book to be summed up in one chapter–it’s fast, fun, suspenseful, and over-the-top. It was one of the last chapters I wrote, and it came very easily, which I guess is what happens when you sit around thinking of how to execute pranks all day.

What was the hardest scene to edit out?

The scene in the book where Ellie takes Max to the radar dish the first time had a completely different ending for the first few drafts of the novel until I decided to make his life miserable. Changing that scene meant having to cut some romantic stuff that I liked, and a sort of dreamy description of what their car ride back to town was like. In the novel now the car ride back is awkward, but at an earlier point it was a lot more positive and, like I said, dreamlike.

Standalone/Series/Companion?

The book completely works as a standalone, but I’ve left the door open for a sequel. People are constantly me if there will be a sequel, but at this point there are no plans for one. But fingers crossed!

What theme song would you give Don’t Get Caught?

AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” nicely fits the feel of the book and the motivation of the characters. It’s a song with some punch behind it–I’d hear those opening 30 seconds in my head when I would write some times– but it’s also something I could see the characters listening to gear up for a prank.

What is Max’s biggest perk and quirk?

Max’s biggest perk has to be his knowledge of heist films and, as a result, heist rules since it’s what helps him organize a crew to get back at the Chaos Club. His biggest quirk would be his overthinking everything. His reactions tend to be exaggerated and overly dramatic–”I have my hands jammed in my pockets, trying to avoid the million and one worst-case scenarios I’ve dreamed up, most of which end with either me puking or Ellie losing a limb”–but it’s also part of his charm and humor.

What will Max be dressing up as for Halloween?

I could see Max dressing up in a nice, fashionable suit, slicking his hair back, and wearing sunglasses for Halloween. And when the adult at the door asks, “What in the hell are you supposed to be?” Max would say, “I’m a suave cat burglar staking out the neighborhood.”

What else are you working on?

I haven’t settled on what my next novel will be, but I do know that I’m sticking with my strengths–writing fast-paced, fun novels with an over abundance of juvenile humor and jokes.

What debut are you most looking forward to?

The debuts I’m most excited about are Robin Reul’s MY KIND OF CRAZY, Marisa Reichardt’s UNDERWATER, and Jenny Manzer’s SAVE ME, KURT COBAIN. All of them are out now, and all are fantastic!

10:00 tonight at the water tower. Tell no one. -Chaos Club

When Max receives a mysterious invite from the untraceable, epic prank-pulling Chaos Club, he has to ask: why him? After all, he’s Mr. 2.5 GPA, Mr. No Social Life. He’s Just Max. And his favorite heist movies have taught him this situation calls for Rule #4: Be suspicious. But it’s also his one shot to leave Just Max in the dust…

Yeah, not so much. Max and four fellow students-who also received invites-are standing on the newly defaced water tower when campus security “catches” them. Definitely a setup. And this time, Max has had enough. It’s time for Rule #7: Always get payback.

Let the prank war begin.

Don’t forget to stop by later this afternoon to read my review of Don’t Get Caught!

Crossed Out (Book 1 Crossed Series) by Kim Baccellia
Published May 17th, 2010
Genre: YA/Paranormal/Fantasy
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8423309-crossed-out
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